In the Image of God

What if I am wonderfully made,

Not just a cosmic coin toss, one out of two…

But created with sacred mindfulness and rhyme and reason?

What if, after you’ve searched me,

You have not found me lacking and the me-ness

Of who I am,

My real presence,

Is stunningly alive and beyond my wildest

Deams?

Marian Monahan, March 26 2004

Dear parents and carers,

Two weeks ago I was fortunate to attend the Catholic Education Principal Retreat in Bowral. It is always a great opportunity to gather as a professional group, but also to participate in some spiritual formation. Sr Margaret Ghosn, the Principal of the Maronite College of the Holy Family in Sydney, led the two days, focusing a reflection on the Image of God. The prayer today has come from our retreat, which I think aligns well with Harmony Week that we are recognising this week.

Our Catholic faith teaches that we are all made in the image of God. As we celebrate our differences and the harmony that comes from seeing God in each other, we are also called to see God in ourselves, and the goodness that we bring to others.

Respect

In recent weeks, we have been focusing on respect across our school. While this is in response to some behaviours that we wish to change, it is also important to introduce and reinforce what being respectful looks like as a student, as a teacher and as a family. Therefore, I have included the visual that we are using in the classroom when speaking with the students. They are becoming familiar with this language, so I invite and encourage families to also use this resource to discuss what respect looks like at home.

Behaviour

As part of our focus on respect, we are seeking to change some unwanted behaviours in the classroom and on the playground to ensure everyone is able to learn and to play happily at school. We have a Behaviour Management Procedure that we follow at St Joseph’s, which is linked here and available on the website. These procedures have been reintroduced to the students today, with everyone made clear on the expectations and how they need to respond when their behaviour may be a problem. For the next two weeks though, students who need to have time away from their classroom to complete a Behaviour Learning Form, will actually work with me so that I can support them to change their behaviour and so I can inform parents when necessary.

Nachos Day

195 containers of nachos were made and delivered yesterday as part of our latest Nachos Day. What a wonderful effort by all of the volunteers who worked to provide the students this exciting treat. Thank you!

Canteen Manager

After more than two years, Katie Jenkin our Canteen Manager will finish at the end of Term 1, before making a tree-change to Echuca. We thank Katie for her energy during her time at St Joseph’s and wish her all the best in the future.

We have advertised and interviewed for a new Canteen Manager, and I am pleased to welcome Julie-Anne Wilson to St Joseph’s from the start of Term 2. Julie-Anne is a parent within our school and would be well known to many as she often assists around the school, in particular in the canteen. There will be no changes to canteen days, or the menu initially, but Julie-Anne is keen to seek feedback from parents, to then re-visit the menu.  

Sip and Swap

We are only one week away from the Sip and Swap evening of fine fashion and the opportunity to socialise. The purpose of the evening is to reduce the amount of clothing that sits unworn in cupboards, while at the same time raising funds for the work of Mary MacKillop House in Lyneham. MacKillop House provides support to women in need, offering temporary housing and respite. Tickets are available on Qkr!.  Contact Ryan McGee if you have any questions ryan.mcgee@cg.catholic.edu.au

Sip and Swap

Recycling Drive/House Point Challenge 

Next week, families are invited to bring in 10-cent recyclable cans and bottles (no milk or Yakult yoghurt bottles) for our final recycling drive for the term. The money raised will go to the P&F but more importantly, House Groups will earn coveted house points toward their term tally.  

The points earned from the last challenge were:

Lourdes - 2900	Loretto - 800
Madonna - 1850	Fatima - 350

Each House has an allocated day to bring in their cans and bottles:

Fatima - Monday	Madonna - Wednesday
Lourdes - Tuesday	Loretto  - Thursday

Seasons for Growth

The Seasons for Growth Children and Young People's Program strengthens the social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people (aged 6-18 years) who have experienced significant change or loss in their lives. The program provides a safe learning environment for children and young people where they can give voice to their experiences, understand and befriend their feelings, learn skills that help them adapt, develop friendships, and recognise ‘I’m not the only one’.

Seasons for Growth is an innovative, evidence-based change, loss and grief education program that draws on the metaphor of the seasons to understand the experience of grief. It builds the knowledge and skills necessary to strengthen social and emotional wellbeing following significant loss by:

• Exploring the impact of change and loss
• Learning about effective ways to respond and adapt

Participants learn that they are not alone in their experience of change, loss and grief, and are able to build their communication, decision making and problem solving skills within the context of a safe and supportive peer group learning environment.

All Seasons for Growth programs are grounded in sound, person-centred educational principles.

St Joseph’s would like to offer this program here at school. Jo Krippner will run this program and is looking for students who would benefit from being a part of ‘Seasons for Growth’. If you would like your child to have the opportunity to be involved please email Jo at jo.krippner@cg.catholic.edu.au

Upcoming Events

• Thursday 23 March 5.30pm – Reconciliation Parent Session # 2 – Parish Hall
• Friday 24 March – Harmony Day Cultural Dress
• Wednesday 29 March – Reconciliation Retreat Day – Year 3
• Wednesday 29 March 2.00pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation in the church
• Friday 31 March 11.45am – 1.30pm – Cross Country Carnival – O’Connor Oval
• Monday 3 April – North/Gunghalin Regional Swimming Carnival – AIS
• Week 10 Tues – Thursday 2.15pm – Holy Week Prayer Celebration – more info to come
• Thursday 6 April – Last day of Term 1

Have a great end to the week.

Yours in Christ,

Cameron Tarrant

cameron.tarrant@cg.catholic.edu.au